re: #268 pre-Boomer Marine brat

If that’s white phosphorus, it’s anti-personnel, or to create a smoke screen. Whichever it is, it’s meant to affect an area of ground, not a specific point, such as a bunker.

We were taught that officially, WP was not to be used on personnel, but could be used as an incendiary, smoke, or to mark a target for artillery.

Of course that led to the example “Infantry in the open, mark them for Arty. THEY’RE RUNNING! MARK EM AGAIN! Um, nevermind the arty.”

We were also told the .50 cal was only to be used against equipment. Of course, helmets, rifles, cammies and boots all can be considered equipment.